The ABC’s of Safe Sleep

Before you say goodnight to your little one, here are some suggested tips on safe sleeping recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Your baby should always sleep alone.

    The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the same room as their caregiver, but not in the same bed. Parents can always position baby’s crib next to their bed to easily maintain physical contact and encourage bonding.
    Your baby should sleep alone in an empty crib – keep loose bedding, bumpers, and toys out of the crib as this can increase your baby’s risk of suffocation and entrapment.

Your baby should always sleep on their back.

    Babies should be placed on their backs to sleep and on their tummies to play.
    Make sure that your baby does not overheat.
    Keep the room smoke-free.
    Babies should by placed facing alternate directions in their crib to discourage resting on the same side of their head. For example, one night place your baby so their head is on the right side of the crib and the next night place baby so their head is on the left side of the crib.

Your baby should always sleep in a crib.

    Use a crib or bassinet that meets current safety standards.
    Provide your baby with a firm sleep surface.
    Keep the crib empty.
    Avoid using sleep positioning devices because there is no evidence that these are effective and in some cases, they pose a danger to babies if they roll out the device.

These guidelines have been created by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 1

 
Sources

    1 Moon Rachel Y. SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Expansion of Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment. Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 2011; 128; 1341-1358.